peeking in!

Hey Family!

Just checking in, wondering how you all are doing? I guess I could call, but you know me, I rarely do that.

We are doing fine, just trying to get things ready for the big day! I haven't felt this behind for a long time. Oh, well.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I love you all and wish we could be together again this year.

Another request for ya, Mom!

Can you please post the recipe for those homemade hamburger buns? I keep forgetting to get it when I'm down there. Thanks in advance.

C headed off to Elko again today. I really am not at my best when he's gone. Why is it so much harder to keep control of my temper when he is gone? It was pretty much a wasted day, I was too tired to do much. Guess we all deserve a day off sometimes....

C and I went to Costco Saturday and bought a really nice treadmill. I need some way to exercise in the cold. I'm too wimpy to go out of doors, I guess. The hope is, that I can train myself to get up a 1/2 hour earlier to walk/run on it. We'll see. I did the Aerobic Fitness preprogrammed thing on it today and thought I could just read as I walked. Well, when that thing cranked itself up at a 10% incline and was wanting me to walk at 4 MPH I had to put the book down. I think I need to start off a little slower. But I'm excited to have it, just hoping I can keep the kids from ruining it. Maybe once the novelty wears off they won't want to play on it as much.

Well, better run, I need to get Soren settled in bed and get my stinky self showered.

Love to you all!

Is Everyone Still Sleeping?

From eating Thanksgiving Turkey? Thanks all, it was so fun to be with you all again, and it was just lovely to be in Bluff for the holiday. Thanks Mom, I know it was probably more work for you to do it in Bluff, but it was special.

We are slowly getting back to 'normal' just in time for the Christmas rush. Lots to do and time is flying by. I hope you all enjoy the holidays and it's a peaceful, love-filled time for you, rather than a stressful one.

Well, better go, need to get my day going.
Mom, I sent you some Christmas ideas via email, so check your email inbox!
Hasta!
Kas

Request for Mom!

Mom, I'm wondering if I can take some of the empty jars from your store room to use when I'm down at Thanksgiving? I got Grandma Yorgason's old pressure canner and I am wanting to start using it, but I don't have lots of jars. I'm going to try canning some pumpkin tonight and I bought a 40 lb box of chicken a couple of weeks ago that I want to can. We might also do some elk and beef.

Can't believe that Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away. Yikes! Cambria still wants to help with the rolls if that's all right.

Ok, better run, I've got to go get the boys!

sunday night

It is good to visit or see each of you within the last 2 days. It was fun to have Stacy come for a quick visit yesterday. I hear Corbin won a tournament yesterday, tell us about that! We are proud of the girls who stayed in Price yesterday and took care of themselves. Aysha is getting old and doing a good job! Thanks Aysha.
It was a very busy week for everyone this week. I tried to help Wendy with the house by tending the girls, than Fay took them on Saturday, so I helped at the house. I am trying to get a lot of the junk cleaned out of the house, so if I can make something for Humanitarian by doing so, it works good for everyone. This week I will finish the last 10-15 polar bears for Christmas, than start on the hankies for Stacy's MIA. Then I need to finish the dolls that I started. I only have one done and I have 11 dolls. I also need to make some decorations for the tree in Bluff. Perhaps I should just do popcorn and cranberries or something like that.

I would like to go down and work on the two cupboards that are out in the shed and the tackle shed. I haven't decided what I want to do with each one, but something will come up and help me figure it out. I haven't been down for 2 weeks, as Dad is still busy working and I have much to do here.

I need to do a berret for Allie for Halloween tomorrow and think of some way to decorate my trunk for Trunk or Treat for the primary children on Tuesday. Guess I have to buy more candy too, as I just bought a little for the few who come to the house.

It is getting close to my bed time. I did have a nap this afternoon, but can feel my eyes starting to close.

We are anxious to see you all at Thanksgiving. Plan to bring a few sleeping bags for the kids. We will try to have the sliding door wall removed before then, so we have room for the girls, and the big boys will have to camp out in the apartment. I'll have Janice take most of her stuff out. Actually she has very little stuff there, just a little food, so it won't be much. I think it will work out ok and I am praying for great weather, so that maybe we can put our tables outside. Whatever, it will be great. I would like for us to do San Juan hill if we can get enough 4 wheelers. Maybe we'll have to do it in two shifts, one on Friday and one on Saturday. I think it would really be a good trip for the older grandkids. See what happens.

Love ya , Mom

Baseball in our new backyard!

We played baseball in our backyard this week for p.e. The kids had a blast. It's so much fun to actually have a backyard that's play-friendly. I don't think we realized how much we had missed it, we just got used to having it all rocks.

Dad, sorry you're sick, I hope you gat some help at the dr. tomorrow.

Mom, I can't believe you got that much stuff done last week. I feel like a slug....I think I need to take a piece of paper and write down everything I do for a week. It's probably more than I realize, its just not big things. Maybe then, I'd feel better about what I get done.

Wendy, is the green paint what you wanted it to be? You're so ambitious. Can you send me a tiny bit of your drive?

Karla, fun talking to you the other day. Even if you called accidentally. You can call on purpose, you know?

Stacy, you lurker, you. Hope all is well in Carbon Cty.

Take care, all. Have a great week!

my turn

Hi everyone, I guess it is my turn to check in on each of you. It seems that everyone knows what I am doing, so I don't write it down. the last three weeks have been pretty hectic. I wake up in the night and have a hard time figuring out what room and bed I am in. I think the next few weeks will be pretty calm. I worked at the temple yesterday am and will work again tonight. I have a hard time just sitting there. By the time I am finished my legs surely do ache. On Friday, the McArthurs are going to Denver to check out a new machine. They want to trade in one they have and get two of the newer model Amayas. I told them I would work for them, but I didn't know you guys would be coming down, so I guess I'll see you when I get through.

I need to get Allie's breakfast. We had Chilacos last night, so guess what she wants for breakfast this morning? Won't be hard to fix.

I am busy sewing the little polar bears that hold a candy cane. I want to make one for each of the Bluff Elem. kids for Christmas. I redesigned it a bit so it would sew out faster. It is working quite well. I need to make a bunch more Christmas ornaments for Stacy and some for me, so that I can decorate two trees. I found a doily design I want to do out of cotton thread to see how it works. Lots of things I want to do. Just need to be more productive.

We shall see Kassie and Curtis on Friday and also Stacy, Corbin and Olivia and Zoe. See you then Love MOM

No wonder!

Hey, Wendy! No wonder I can't keep up with what's going on in your life. It changes from one minute to the next. I'm glad that things with Lily worked out all right, for everyone. She was a sweet little baby, but I can see how you would be overwhelmed by it all. I truly hope her parents get her back and are able to care for her. Hooray on paint and all that fun stuff. It really is crazy all the little details that go into building something and in the proper order, isn't it? We got our furnace put in today and tomorrow they will be back to hook up the A/C part. It was so great to smell that musty, dusty, first time on in the season smell that came up through my vents today! It has been very hard for me to get up and going in the morning since it's been so chilly. Yay for heat!

The SHS thing is called Smart Habits Saturday. If you click this link, it will describe it more for you. I started doing it at the first of the year and was doing pretty well, but then got busy with end of school year stuff and this summer was just so nutty that I gave up. But I love reading Lara's blog and she's so inspiring to me, so I decided to jump back on. It's kindof like going to Weight Watchers and stepping on a real scale, it makes me feel more accountable, knowing that I need to post how I've done.....anywho..

I begged Stacy to get herself signed up with Blogger when I talked to her last. But I guess I didn't beg hard enough! I know she reads this, cause she commented on my grass.....any ideas on how to get her back?

Well, thanks for writing!! It did make me smile and I hope to see you tomorrow. C and I are coming down for that Thomas Jefferson Education workshop thing. I'm excited. All the kids are staying home and it will be a really good learning experience for them.

Have a great day!

Kas

Mi Vida Loca!

Hola Everyone! Well, it looks like I need to update mi vida loca! Lily is now living with a foster family in Moab. Last weekend I called and asked if they could find a family in Moab for her...it has been better for everyone...they say. It has been better for our family. Lily was a great baby and we loved having her...however, her medical appointments and phys. therapy appointments and family visits..etc..were very overwhelming to keep up with. It was so hard to admit that we couldn't do it anymore right now and very hard to let her go but it was for the best. We really miss her smile and that special spirit she brought into our home.

As for the house...we are moving along steadily! We are making some progress on the stone and the texture on the walls will be done tomorrow! So on thurs. I am going to prep the house for painting on friday! I am really excited to paint! I need to go read how to run the sprayer!! Brad Bunker has been kind enough to spray the finish on our front door...I think another coat or two and that will be done! It's fun to be getting some of the finishing touches done! We get to where we feel like we are getting really close...till we discuss in detail what still needs done...this is a big project!!

We are all doing well. The girls and I were sick for almost 3 weeks...we are all better now. The girls are getting excited for halloween...we are going to be a vampire family...i guess! Ben is looking forward to the deer hunt...I wonder if its the hunt or if its having a "good" exuse to not work on recruiting and the house for a few days? He definately deserves a break from it all!

Kas- the yard looks great. Looks like good sod! How fun for you! I was wondering what the SHS is all about?

Stacy- HEEEELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO out there.....can you hearrrrrrr us?

Karla- hope your are enjoying your quiet motel and good eat'n!

Mom- thanks for dinner and watching the girlies again!!

Talk to ya all later- Wendy

What is everyone up to?

Just checked here to see if anyone else has a life! HaHa! You must have one and are out living it instead of sitting in front of a screen like me. Just going through my email and deleting garbage, sorting through pictures, making plans for Christmas gifts and wishing it was time to go to bed. I did not get my nap today!

Wendy-what's new on the Lily front? How is the house? Dad said you were buying paint last weekend, does that mean you got drywall up?

Karla-Buy any new jewelry lately? What else has caught your fancy? Wondering if we could con you into doing a photo shoot for us over Thanksgiving weekend? Is there anywhere we could go that time of year and get a good picture?

Stacy-Please, please get yourself signed up on Blogger. It's not hard, I bet Zoe could do it for you, at the very least Corbin could. We miss your input. How's the new do? I need to get brave and just go do it.

Mom-Are you keeping up with all this running two houses businesses? Sounds like you need a break after all the company you've had and the quick trip to see the entirety of Colorado. Saw Natalie at the Stake offices tonight (getting recommends signed) She asked about your house and what the significance of it was. I explained that it was one of Jens's homes. She seems lonely and sad. I wish someone would come along and be good to her and she would let them. Her little boy is so cute!

Well, better go participate in family life. Please pop in and post even a little something. It would make me smile! BYE~

Check it Out!

Go check out my new backyard! Pictures on my Blog!

Thanks for the fun weekend!

Just wanted to say thanks for the fun weekend we had in Bluff. I love the house and it was so nice to be there with you all. Thanks, Mom, for letting us stay and taking such good care of us.

Wendy, love the house, and I can't wait to see it finished. It will be great!

Karla, sorry you had the rotten headache again. Hope you're feeling better.

Stacy, you really should have come to Bluff! just kidding. Hope you're enjoying state golf. Hope Corbin does well.

Well, better run, it's bedtime and I'm pooped. Love ya all!

bridger jack

I think that I could guide Bridger Jack Mesa with my eyes shut! We just completed the Safari. They had over 130 people sign up this year. (40 +) last year. The big group from Missouri came back. They missed last year. Quite a few of the riders we took out were here for the first time and all are planning to come next year. One couple from California want to rent something here next year for a month or so. We took 16 people on thursday, plus Karl GO Miller and me. Then on Friday, we only totaled ten people. but one lady should never have been on a r-wheeler except as a passenger. I was bringing up the rear, so I found out that my wheeler can go slow and that I can have patience, even if it drives me crazy. This chick had on short shorts and flip flops, no hat, no googles, nothing but slow moves. I hardly ever got out of low gear. It took more than 2 extra hours, to get finished. We only had 2 couples today and they knew how to ride. The weather was great all three days. We had a tiny sprinkle just about the time we finished today, but that was all. It has rained a little more since then.

We took the girls to PJ 's for a hamburger

WOW!!

I took this picture last night during our amazing lightning and thunderfest. Idiot me finally realized I was going to have to put the camera in manual and set the exposure myself and manually focus or else it would take too long for the camera to make all those adjustments.

Nothing new going on with me. Same old stuff. The kids are doing well in school. Peyton is going to be a struggle. But, he'll get there. Allie is reading like a crazy woman. (I think there might be proof she's mine after all!!) She's got her nose in a book almost as much as I do.

I'm waiting for Jim's uncle to get back to us on house plans. I'm so excited to see what he'll come up with. Then I'm going to get a quote on having it built and try to crunch numbers with the equity we should get out of selling our house and see if it's possible to start next year. I'm getting antsy.

Well, I guess I better get back to work. I love you all!

Karla

I NEED YOUR PRAYERS!!!

Wow! What a weekend we have had! Within 72 hours we had to consider the shocking offer to take in more GIRLS!!, not knowing if it would be a foster situation where we will have to deal with giving the baby back to her family after we bond and attatch to her, or if it would be an adoption situation with the family being as close as Moab! Then once we made the decision to go for it, we had to 'mad-dash' to get ready. Then we got to meet Lily and take care of her for 6 1/2 hours while the shelter family went to the Moab Music Festival. And to our surprise ...she has more special needs than we has been told about! So if our emotions wern't fried enough...I felt anger towards DCFS for withholding this kind of info from us! So it's like being told .... you're pregnant...and due within a week....and you might get to keep her and you might not....oh, and she's has special needs! I felt like I had been hit by a freight train!! Needless to say, I have spent a great deal of time in prayer! I did some major soul searching and crying yesterday. Heavenly Father took some pity on me and quickly made if VERY clear that this is what we are supposed to do for now! Answers to all the other questions and fears are still unknown...but all I needed at the time was to know if this is the right thing to do! So I hope I can have all of your love and support through this...I will need it! Lily is such a sweet baby and she is so beautiful! I think it will be a challenge to care for her but I already know it is easy to love her! We get to spend more time with her and the shelter family today and some tomorrow and then the case worker will bring her to me on Tuesday! We think the condition she has that might be causing some of her other problems is called tortocollis. This is where she holds her head down on her right shoulder. I would imagine having your spine kinked is affecing her acid reflux problem and possibly the drainage in her ears causing her to need tubes in her ears. She also has very sensitive skin requiring special care and products. And she needs help keeping her bottle and binky in her mouth. It's really nothing too major...but enough to send my emotions through the ringer!! Heavenly Father must have an aweful lot of faith in me or else I am due for a large piece of humble pie! Either way I know I have His love and support! I can't wait for all of you to get to meet her and feel of her sweet spirit! I know our time with her will be a blessing to our family! Love you all, Wendy

24 hour "Nesting"

Wow, I am pooped! I organized the girls closets....bought some rubbermaid drawers since they have outgrown the cute baskets I got for Tilly when she was a baby!, organized and threw away a ton of junker toys, washed all the new stuff I bought for Lily, washed all the girls bedding, shampooed all the carpet in the house, cooked dinner, cleaned the kitchen, broke into our storage unit with a metal bladed saw at 10:45 at night (to get more baby stuff :)), and now I am finally going to crash! I hope I sleep well...this could be the last nights sleep for a while! Ben started our stone today...and it looks great! I love it when we get to the finished look of things! I will hopefully be calling you all tomorrow with more info on when we get Lily. Good night for now! Wendy

One Week Down!

Yikes, the adjustment to this is going to be harder for the girls than I thought it would be......They keep telling me how bored they are. I keep telling them it's up to them to think of things to study, that it's their 'education' not my job to keep them entertained. But each day is getting better. I still need to work on getting some more workbooks, and some 'classics' for the bookshelf. I know it will be fine, we just need to keep plugging away and I need to be consistent.

We try to do most of the academic stuff in the morning from about 9:30 -12:00 and after lunch we play math games and work on arts and crafts or read. So I'm trying to not answer the phone during the morning but anything else is fine.

Curtis had to go to Elko again this week and then when he got there he couldn't get his equipment to work, so they had to come home having gotten nothing done. So guess who gets to go back again next week? That will make three weeks in a row out there. It's feast or famine, I tell ya. Oh, well, we like the paychecks!

Wendy, I'm so jealous of your house. I don't have much hope of anything getting done on mine soon beyond getting the new furnace/AC unit in. But we did finally finish our sprinkling system in the backyard and tomorrow we will be filling in the trenches and getting it ready for sod. I don't think we'll get that right away, though, we'd like to wait for it to cool off a bit before putting sod down. I think that after we get the furnace in, the next thing we will work on will be the roof. Our practical side comes through again, and we have nixed the metal roof and will just be doing composite shingles. That and back door I hope.

Wish we were coming down for the weekend, but we really need to keep on keeping on with our yard and house, so..............................But plan for us to make it down on one of the weekends when my boys are out of school. Possibly the 14th or 28th of Sept., Mom!

Well, I'm bushed and I think I'll head to bed. So fun to have you all posting a bit again. Thanks for the updates. Love you all!

Hello!!

Wow, it is almost 1 am....I really should go to bed!..but the guilt of reading the blog and never posting finally got the best of me! I figure...you all know what I have been up to ...the house! Just as exciting though, is having Tilly in kindergarten! She won't admit to me how wonderful it is but I can tell she loves it by how excited she is to go each day and how happy she is when I pick her up! It is really fun to have a kid in school....so far! Laila cannot wait to go to "pretty school" (pre-school). She met Mrs. Eardly today and saw her school and she did not want to go home! I have really enjoyed my time with her! ( not just because she encourages me to take naps everyday...and volunteers to help with the dishes and laundry when I wake up from my nap! :) ) but we really have had fun together. She misses Tilly a lot ...and asks "is it time to pick up Tilly yet"....20 minutes after we drop her off! Anyway, having a schedule is nice too.
Update on the house....hvac, plumbing, and electrical are all roughed in. We will be getting our insulation on friday and once we finish a few frame jobs, install central vac, and insulate we will be ready for sheet rock! We started our deck, finished the roof, and our stone is on-site waiting to be put up! It is all excited and very very tiring!! I am sure mom, Karla, and Fay Loy would all agree...having us doing the work is very very tiring for them as well, they all help out with the girls so much! THANK YOU!!! Oh, and we have our windows in and the doors will be here in 3 weeks! Yeeee Haaah!...what next? We think we have our lights picked out...the price will be the final deciding factor...and we haven't even started to look at tile yet..yikes! I change my paint choice by the hour....the lighting changes every hour ya know! Last friday we were cleaning up all the construction waste so we would be ready for a "dump-run" and we were trying to get the girls to help us...I thought a little competition of 'who can fill a box with trash the fastest" would motivate the girls! Laila got right on it. Tilly informed us that "I am a new girl and I am not made to work"! Ben informed her that she is a Crane and she will work till her fingers fall off! So for a bed time story I read 'The Little Red Hen'....when I finished explaining the symbalism..Tilly was in tears because "we won't let her live in the house when it's done because she hates to work"! Ha Ha Ha She is something else to raise! I am so in for it! Anyway, I really should go to bed and now I can sleep because the guilt is gone! LOL love you all, Wendy

It's just me. Way past time to log on. Is everyone back to an organized schedule? Hope the beginning of school is going well for everyone. Kassie have you started? What is your schedule (more or less) so that when we call we won't be interrupting everyone? I have been trying to get things together to go to Bluff for the week-end. There is always one more thing that I think needs to go. I found a couple of fans in the storage unit that I'm going to take and try to cool the apartment off a little. We haven't been able to get anyone to go check on the units yet. I have been trying to put together some picture also, and I need to get the ones I want all the same size, etc. A lady from Blanding brought me a picture of the Swing Tree which was painted in 1956 by Marion G. Romney's mother who is a daughter to L H Redd. It is a good picture. I also found the picture Aunt Norma painted of the twin rocks, and so we will take them down to the house.
Aunt Kena is coming on Friday and we will go down then. She has never been to San Juan Hill, so we may try to do that Friday evening, when it won't be so hot. We may have to try it again on Saturday, so Stacy can see it.

The jazuzzi is working, so I found myself a pair of shorts and a t shirt. I did try a swimming suit on at the Merc. It was scary!!!!
Wendy is here doing her nails. Ben is in Salt Lake. She actually has a day off from working on the house.

Well it is time to clean up the kitchen and finish the laundry I started early this morning. Hope to hear from each of you soon. Stacy, see you on Friday.

Love, Mom

20 YEARS!!

TWENTY YEARS!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Time for a Parrrtaaayy!!!

Hey, everyone is bailing on the blog--me included. Pretty sad. I do enjoy reading it. So, I guess I'll do my part and post a few times a week.

The kids are back in school. Allie is loving it as usual. None of her friends are in her class, but I think she'll be ok. She's doing so good in piano lessons. I bought a very basic primary song book for her and she can read the music and play almost every song! She doesn't even take that book to lessons with her.

Peyton likes school, but he can't figure out why he has to go "every day!" He'll be ok, though. Pictures were yesterday, so we had to get them all gussied up for that.

I'm going to Bluff tonight to spend a few days at Mom & Dad's house by myself!! This is what I wanted for my birthday. Two or three days ALONE! I went to the library last night and checked out a bunch of books and I'm going to take my computer and scrap book a bit. I'm just going to lay around, read, watch TV, scrap and do whatever with no responsibilities for a few days. I can't wait!

My friend, Jami is probably going to come down Friday night and stay with me. We don't ever get to hang out much, even though she just lives in Blanding. Life gets in the way, I guess.

Work is pretty slow right now. Not a lot going on. How is everyone doing? Are all of your kids liking school this year? What's new in your lives?

Got to go--love you all
Karla

Just me. Again.

Where the heck are you? Oh, yeah, school is starting soon and I'm sure you're busy with that.

Just wanted to let you in on a little secret. If you ever buy green furniture that is green in the store and when you get it home it isn't......try changing your light bulbs before you do anything drastic, like thinking of taking green paint to the yellow furniture.

I bought a nice set of new living room furniture at Sam's and it was a nice light yellowy green. So I get it home and it no longer is green. I begin to wonder if all green furniture bought at Sam's looks some other color when it gets home. Remember Mom's chair? I was a bit flustrated. But we decided to change the light bulbs in our living room to compact flourescent to see if that would make a difference and can you believe it worked? Voila', furniture is green again and Kassie has a smile on her face.

Been busy making strawberry freezer jam (couldn't pass up berries at 3.99 a flat), and making salsa and spaghetti sauce from our own tomatoes. My kitchen was so grotesque, but it's under control again and the freezer is getting full. Gotta love that!

Have a great day and post if you get a minute. I miss hearing from all of you.

Late, Late, Late!

Mom, hope you and Dad had a good anniversary. I thought about you and was going to call after dinner, but it was FHE at the Yorgason's and we celebrated M's birthday after we got back and it just slipped my mind. So here's a VERY belated

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all of you for coming or wanting to come(wink,wink) to H's baptism. For not being very organized it all went fine. H and I appreciate your love and support.

Trying to get all the stuff done for the boys for school this week. Last night we bought all the school supplies, today we will hit the uniform store and tomorrow it's immunizations. Fun, fun!

After I get them all taken care of I can plow ahead with the girls. So many choices!

Hope you all enjoy the last couple of weeks of summer. I sure am enjoying the drop in temps at night (and during the day, too). Take care!

Hey!

Hannah! Congratulations on your big day. Sorry I couldn't be there. I was going to ride up with Mom but Liz, Kiffy and her kids rode with Mom so there wasn't room for me & my munchkins. I would have driven myself but I wasn't sure I really trusted myself. I had to go get Demoral at the hospital on Thursday and it always leaves me slightly loopy for a few days. I didn't think I dared drive 500 miles like that. Hope it was a great day for you.

Nothing new going on here. I get to take the Jr. Livestock Auction pictures this year. I think I'll make about $400 for doing it. That'll be nice. Work is the same as always. Things have slowed down a bit. We've been getting quite a few monsoon showers which are really nice. I've started going to the fitness center at the high school 2 nights a week. I'm going to try to go 4, but so far, I've made it 2 per week. I'm doing about 15 miles on the bike--that's what it says anyway.

I'm ready for school. Allie & Peyton are excited. Allie is really tired of having to play with Peyton every day and going and watching Jim work on his tractor--that's not much fun for her-

Well, it's time to go home--take care. Love you all.

Can I get off this crazy ride?

Wow, what a summer! I'm thinking we bit off way more than we wanted to chew. We've just finished up 6 days of welch/yorgason family fun. Spent two days at Nate's place in Fairview, then Lagoon on Fri, parks on Sat, Church/family meeting and dinner on Sunday, and FHE last night. I think all the out of town people have gone home by now.

We will have Rodney's daughter, L, living with us for the next month, until she can get into her aprt. She will be attending BYU in Sept. It ought to be fun, but she's a really nice girl and we look forward to getting to know her better.

Does anyone have any objections to pizza and salad in the park for dinner on Sat after H's baptism? I'm thinking that will be a very easy thing. No vacuuming! And a playground for kiddo's. And the time got changed from 5 pm to 4:30 pm because there are so many kids being baptized this month....Hope that is not a logistics problem for any of you.

Mom, so excited about your Bluff house. Can't wait to go see it. Hope you had a nice ride to NM.

Well, I need to go shower and make a shopping list.....My fridge is pretty bare.

Talk to you soon!

are we all dead?

Hi Everyone,

I have a few minutes to say Hi. I am going to Farmington NM for a funeral for my cousins's husband. I will ride down with a couple of cousins from Blanding. I thought I should go and represent Mom's side of the family. I guess that is the perk of being retired. I can go and do what I please. I think I am going to Bluff tomorrow with Karl and stay while he does a run or two. Ed Booher will be there on Thursday to move his things, so I think Karl and I will go again so that we can talk to him about the Jacuzzi and the watering system and timer for outside and things like that. We need to get all the utlities put into our name.
We had a pretty good rain last night. Smelled and sounded so good.

I need to go gas up my car and get to Blanding. Talk to you later. LaRue

Dog Daze of Summer--

Yes, I know it's supposed to be Days, but right now I feel like I'm in a daze. It's so hot!! I'm tired of feeling sticky and icky all the time. I'm ready for fall. I wish that fall would last for 6 months of the year.

Apparently we're all too busy to blog, or in my case, too lazy. Things at work have slowed down enough that I can finally take a breather every now and again. Nothing new going on in my world--same old same old. Wendy took Peyton with her girls to swimming lessons today. THANK YOU!!! You're a life saver. Allie started her piano lessons. I think she'll like it. I hope so. I've actually really enjoyed having the piano there. I play it quite a bit. A few primary songs before bed each night.

Well, I have to go, work's about over and I dropped my computer off at the repair place. It's been running sooo slow and gluggy that I finally caved and decided to pay the money and have it degunked and have new spyware and virus protection. Should be done tomorrow.

Take care--love you all!
Karla

Hi,

I think it is time to connect again. It is quite hard to blog when everyone has just been together, but we need to anyway. I just got a call from Corbin saying he was coming up, but it is 10:30 and I am about ready for bed. I guess I can just leave the door open and the light on.
I worked at the temple today. I didn't cough while I was there and haven't coughed much since then. I hope I am about over this stuff (again)
We have had enough hot weather, but I guess we will just keep on going. We surely do need to get some rain. It is hard to find the energy to work outside in the heat, as I guess you already know that. I did shampoo the sewing room and living room carpet and they look much better. I need to do it every couple of weeks. I even washed a few windows, but I have a bunch left to do. I think that I will not plan to walk in the race on the 21st,. I'm sure that is not a surprise to anyone.
Well, I am very tired and am going to hit the sack. We love you all and hope all is well with you.
Love Mom

Hellooooooooooo???????????????????

Is anyone out there?????????????????there????????????????????there?????????????????

All I'm getting is an echo................echo.......................echo.............................

Hope you're all well. I think we finally are and so we are planning to zip down for Thursday's happenings.

I'll call you Mom, when I know my itinerary for sure......



Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you recovered yet?

I'm not! Seriously, yesterday we mostly just sat around. Today would have been better, but most of my kids are either barfing or still coughing up their toenails. I had to make a run to Allen's to stock up on Sprite and Ricola. Hope you are doing better than we are.....it actually hasn't been too bad to just be confined to home. I have had all day to work on some projects that are looming. I'm almost halfway done with the most pressing one.

Thanks again for making and taking the time to go to Wyoming. I don't know about you, and you probably couldn't tell by my tired face, but I had a wonderful time. I only wish we hadn't been so tired at night so we could have played dice or just had an adults only conversation in the hall. I feel like I didn't get the chance to talk to anyone very much but it was great just knowing that we were sharing this experience. Love you all!

Thanks Mom and Dad for coordinating this vacation. I know it was not inexpensive and I want you know that I will treasure my memories and the feeliings I had as I contemplated what those people, all of them-not just our ancestors, had endured for the sake of the Gospel. I am in awe of them and I hope that in some small way I can measure up. I'm thankful that the Church has put so much effort into preserving those places and making them available to people. I think many lives have been touched.

Well, better go, Soren just woke up and I need to get him something to eat. Have a happy weekend.

She's Official!

Happy Adoption Day, Laila!

It was a neat experience in the courtroom today. I'm so happy for you Wendy, to have this all be done and Laila be yours now. Looking forward to July to see her become yours forever!

Getting excited about heading north next week. Thanks so much to all of you for coming and making this a special trip. Thanks Mom and Dad for planning and getting this off the ground.
Drive safely!

I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, what a whirlwind 10 days! C's parents thought we needed to do some big thing every day! I told them we were content to just be at their house, but they had plans. It was awesome, but we are wiped out. That could be because we got up at 3;30 am this morning(1:30 UT time).

Karla, glad you didn't lose all your stuff. I have new pictures on my computer I need to download to discs....scary. Can't wait to see photos of Peyton and Tilly going at it.

Wendy-more details girl. What's the deal with the In Vitro thing? Fun on getting permits and all. Can't wait to hear that the digging has begun. Of course, I'll try to hide my jealousy when your house gets finished before my dumb addition does.

Well, I'm tired so I'm going to go sleep for a bit. Love ya all!

It's Alive!!

My computer is ok!! After 3 service calls from Dell, a new motherboard, a new processor, and finally a new power unit, it works!! And, best of all--all my stuff is still there. I ordered a new external hard drive and spent last night burning DVDs of my photos and my digital scrap stuff. Now, I feel a bunch better!!

My office has given me a headache for a solid week & a half now. The carpet glue and paint fumes are really doing a number on me. Ick!!

Well, Allie's fast pitch (yes, I said fast pitch) softball team took 2nd at a tournament they had in Blanding over the weekend. They even got trophies and everything. She had a game last night but had to miss it because she twisted/sprained her ankle and it's still sore. Peyton and Tilly duked it out on the baseball diamond yesterday. T-Ball at it's finest! I'll post pictures later, I'm at work right now. But it was fun to watch them stand in the field and hold a mit.

Nothing much else going on right now--same old stuff. Talk to you all later!

Don't pass out....I know it's been a while!

Yes, I am still checking the blog...just not doing my part at contributing! So for the quick up-date: we got our building permits today...Paul is a week to 10 days out!
we finalize Laila on June 14th at 10:15 in Salt Lake.....and the temple is scheduled for
thurs. July 5th around 4 pm in Monticello ......dinner after! More details later...
we spoke to our attourney today....he is trying to be respectful of us just wanting a
free cycle of in-vitro...but he said our case is so good he wants to "go for the throat".
I think he just wants a bigger pay check! I just hope we can get all of our expenses
covered and still go to the same team of Dr.s!
Well, that's us in a nut shell! Love ya'll

Oh, the agony!!

Well, I was so excited to have a 5 day weekend. They were recarpeting and repainting my office so we had Thur & Fri off and then Monday for the holiday. So, I was going to work on pictures, scrap, etc---MY COMPUTER DIED!!! 3 years worth of photos--WWWAAAHHH!!!!

Right now, I want to hold a memorial service--and say, "Crap!! Now I can't post any more embarrasing photos of Stacy." But, on a brighter note--we think it's the motherboard, not the hard drive. So, we're hopeful that once that's replaced (yeah!! for Dell's 4 year warranty!) that my data will all still be there. I'll have you know, my next major purchase will be an external hard drive to back up my data and I'm going to burn DVD's of all my pictures and store them at Mom's house or something. I think I have a free safe deposit box at the bank I could use--hmm have to think on that one.

Nothing else going one. Peyton is sick and wants to play and swim with Allie and I won't let him so he's pretty upset with me. But, I guess he'll learn that life isn't fair. We finally found the culprit in the "Peyton's bedroom smells like pee" contest. I had shampooed the carpets, washed all the blankets, shampooed the mattress-and in desparation I drug the mattress out on the tramp to air dry for a few days--room still smelled like pee. His bean bag--he had slept on it and peed on it. So, I washed the cover and left the insides outside on the tramp for a few days--Voila!! No more pee smell!!

Allie placed in the top 10% in the nation on their standardized tests they have to take--She's mine after all! hehehe.

Well, It's time to go home. I'll try to update later, but without a computer, might be difficult

Love ya!

Cheese making story

Go check out my blog to read about my cheese making attempt.....pretty typical of everything I try to do. LOL!!

Trying to keep cool. I am so on strike from cooking anything in the oven. My kids think the world is ending because I have not made or baked anything this week. Made them eat the leftover Ziti for supper tonight. I chose to eat a loverly chef salad instead, with spinach and lettuce from my own garden. Can I just tell you how fun it is to go into my garden and pick my own fresh greens? MMMMmmmmmmmmmmm!

Well, gotta go get kids started on showers. Ford talks in church tomorrow and Jordan gets to talk at Seminary Graduation. Fun! I had completely forgotten about seminary graduation til Curtis mentioned Jordan's talk. I can't believe he's really this old. Seems like last year when I was talking in Seminary graduation. eek!

Have a good night and a lovely Sunday!

One more down!

Yay! One more week done and only one more to go. We made it through Shakespeare week. Montana will be ever so glad to have the play over with. He said the moustache he has to wear and the stuff to take it off are awful. I'm anxious to go to the play tonight to see how he does. He's been a bit of a buggar about running lines, so I HOPE he has all of them memorized.

**Update: Just got home from the play and it came off fine. He hesitated a couple of times and he wasn't really 'dramatic' but he did fine and the play was good. That is so much memorizing of strange wording, I'm impressed that any of them remembered ANY of their lines. (still trying to figure out why it's hard for Montana to be dramatic when he is so much that way at home)

C and Ford went camping with the scouts tonight up Hobble Creek Canyon. We drove up that road a bit last night and took the road that leads you to Squaw Peak. We saw the most beautiful bull elk on the way. He had 4 points on one side and 5 on the other. He was probably only 60 feet from the road. Just stood and watched us drive by, then sauntered off into the trees. We also saw lots of hen turkeys, but no toms. It was so nice to get out of the city and into the mts. and it literally is just minutes from home. I'm ready to do a repeat of that Squaw Peak to Springville trip I took with Jordan 17 1/2 years ago, only with C this time.

Well, I'm bushed so I'm headed to my bed. I'm hoping to stay awake til J gets home from Sr. Ball, but we'll see if I make it or not. He's been gone most of today, it was the unofficial Sr. Sluff Day! Whatever! Good night!

Happy Mother's Day -- to all of us!!

Wow, it's weird to think that we're all mothers--I mean, I know that we've all be in the club for 5 years now, but it still seems weird sometimes. I think we're all doing a pretty darn good job. And it sure isn't an easy one.

I want our Mom to know how much I truly appreciate her. I don't know how she did it--raising 4 girls who have 4 very different personalities and having them all turn out to be good friends. They all have a deep love for the Lord and the Gospel. Most of all, I want Mom to know that she is my inspiration in life. I know I fall far short of coming up to her level of parenting. I can only dream of her levels of patience and energy, but I know what it is to have a good mom, and I've seen from the other side what it's like to have a mom that's not so supportive or protective. Mom, you did an amazing job, and continue to do so every day. I love you more than you'll know. I wish I knew how to show it better. But please know that I will forever be grateful for the life you've given me and my sisters, and continue to give to my children.

Nothing much going on right now. I'm trying to make heads or tails out of a bunch of emails on my map software that was sent out by three different people. Uh, could just one of you do it and give me a step by step, blow by blow list on how to do it?? AARRGGHH!!

We broke out the slip and slide on Saturday and the swamp cooler yesterday. I guess summer is finally going to start showing up. Allie had a friend over, Nathalie Reay, she's the new Dr.'s daughter. They laughed and giggled all day. They had a stuffed animal beauty pageant, made up a silly song that makes no sense and had a grand time. Wendy and the girls, chicken pox and all, came over and joined Peyton on the slippery slide. Those girls are a riot!!

The Jazz did an amazing job last night. I have a rough time watching sometimes because I don't like to watch them lose. But Golden State threw in a few very dirty, flagrent fouls that I didn't think were very nice. Luckily, no one seemed to be too damaged.

Well, I have to get back to work--love you all!
Karla

98!

That's what the thermometer in my car read when I got in it to come home from the mall a few minutes ago. What happened to spring? I'm dying here, and at the present time no relief cause we can't put in the swamp cooler. Mom, can I come live with you for the summer?

We did however pick up our new windows today. So maybe we can get those in this weekend. Then a back door and we can go to town on framing and electrical and such. This is such a slow process when you try to do it yourself one day a week.

Mom, are you prepped for the Jazz game tonight? Got your couch warmed up and the Diet Pepsi cold? We had fun watching the last game. It sure was a good one. I hope they can hang with the Warriors and pull off another series win.

I know this was my year to just 'do' things, but I wimped out on the costume making. I just couldn't get them all done and Soren had too much fun with the serger, winding the thread around the thing that holds the thread up. I still haven't gotten it all untangled. So I borrowed some for this year and we'll make these up in time for next year. Then we'll have time to find some cool embellishments for them and make them beautiful.

9 1/2 more days of school, then pack like mad and wing our way to GA. The kids are WAY excited. I hope it meets their expectations. C's mom and dad kept asking us what kinds of things we wanted to do while there and we mentioned a few, but I think it is great to just be there and visit and not feel like we have to be running somewhere every second of every day!
Getting way excited about WY too. June is going to be fun, quick and tiring.

Well, enjoy the game and the weekend.
Love ya all!

Yea Jazz!!!

I am getting way to old to watch the basketball games when they are so close. We were so excited tonight to get a win. I surely hope dee Brown will be ok, also Fisher's daughter. They all seem like a classy bunch of players compared to some you read about and see on the other teams.

Ben went to the store after the game with me tonight to try to see what was going on with all our connections. We haven't been able to send faxes, or copy from the sewing computer for a week or so. It has been very frustrating as the McArthurs need to send lots of info to set up their accounts with all the suppliers. We were able to figure it out and everything seems to be working now. We do need to buy another bit of memory for the computer, but I will tell McArthurs about it and also what we can do to make things work better until they get that taken care of. We have been having toooooo many windows open and it is shutting the machine down and making the design part of the program click off in order to give all the power to the machines. Too many people pulling up designs and not closing them out. I'll give everyone the old 1-2 tomorrow and things will be better.

Actually I sorta get a day off tomorrow. They have 98 hats for Crowley and 48 for the City of Blanding, so they will be busy. I'm going to go long enough to put together the order for Eddie Allred for the summer little league, then I can work in my yard. yea!

We had a baby shower for Kristen Randolph Christensen last night in the RS room at the church. There was a pretty good turnout and lots of nice gifts. I'm ready for a break. We have gone from burying one of our ladies to doing a baby shower, and Ruth R. must be out of town, so we missed her birthday. She will not be happy with us, but oh well, we were ready to go to the temple with her, ( if she had talked to the bishop before announcing her plans, it would havae been much better for her) She is a little upset.

It is now 11:10, so it is nearly my bed time. I'll talk again later!
Love, Mom

I'll Go to the Shakespeare Fest with ya!

Hey Karla, give me a couple of years to get Soren a bit less attached to me and I'll be ready and willing to head to Cedar with you for a week. Curtis isn't quite as dramatic about it as Jim, but I can tell he's not really excited to go there. I've been wanting to go since I moved back here. I do get to go to it this year with Montana's graduating class from school. I think we will see two plays in Cedar then head to Tuacahn for a play. Then we'll hit the temple to do some baptisms and head back. End of June I think. I can't wait.

I'm sure you'll get the whole studio thing figured out. It will just take some trial and error, possibly lots of error, but it'll happen. I thought the picture of Allie was very cute. I can't believe how big she is getting, and looking. Where did 'Baby Allie' go?

I think one of us will have to go to Stacy's house and personally set up her a Google account. I know Corbin could do it for her......Maybe if we pay him enough?

Well, better get a move on. Need to style the 'mop' and get ready to take Miss Sadiekins to school. Only 12 more days!!

Maps, Maps, Maps & more Maps

That's what I'm working on today. Taking acreage reports. Such fun. The Jazz game was fun to watch last night. Although I must admit that I changed the channel a lot. I hate watching them lose and I figured they would poop out at the end. The Warriors are such a fast team, and we are notorious for blowing it in the 4th quarter. And we didn't have Fisher. But, they pulled it off. Daron Williams is such a good player. And I think Kirilenko's arms are about 10 feet long.

Nothing going on around here, really. I took some pictures of Jami Bayles' son Cooper with my set up on Saturday. There are funky window reflections on the pictures somehow, and I needed to have the backdrop horizontal, not vertical. That kid was wwwaaayyy too active to stay in one place.

Well, school is about out. Kass, you sound like you've got a lot going on. That Shakespeare thing sounds fun. I went and saw "Twelfth Night" when I was a senior in high school. It's so funny. Shakespeare had a wicked sense of humor. Jim rolls his eyes into the back of his head and plays comatose every time I mention that I want to go to Cedar one summer and see a few plays. I miss them. I went to at least one play every summer I lived in Cedar. I really enjoyed them.

Stacy, how are you? Haven't heard from you in a while. I haven't taken the time to round up any more embarrassing pictures to post. Maybe if we all beg???

Got to get back to work. Have a good one! Love ya!
Karla

OOOOhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Karla, I really like the new look of the blog. I think I need to redo mine. It's old. But I'm too lazy to figure out how to change it. Not that anyone ever looks at it anyway.

This week feels so much less stressful than last already. Pretty much all I did today was sew on Nina's Shakespeare costume dress. Thanks Mom, for the use of your serger. It has really made the whole job quicker. I'm at the putting in the zipper part, then buttons and hems. It will look so pretty on her. I think tomorrow I will stop at Wallyworld and see what they have that would work for Hannah. Nicole let me borrow one for Sadie. I'll still make her one, but the pressure to have it done by Monday is gone.

Well, it's late and I'm tired, so off I go. See you tomorrow!

Studio Shots

Well, here's my first studio shot--I should have fixed her hair or something, but I just wanted to see what the lighting was like.

Not too bad. I need to iron my backdrop though. It's all wrinkly.

Been a quiet day here. I've really enjoyed it. Allie was playing up the street at Jamie's and Peyton had Kyle Bailey over and they were outside most of the day, so I watched my recorded copy of Grey's from last night--it was a 2 hour one.

I'm headed over to Mom's. Wendy and the girls are over there and my kids just went over so I better go make sure Mom's not going crazy.

later

STACY!!!!!!!!!!

YOU ASKED FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!


NICE CHAPSTICK MOUTH!!

SOOOO PURTY!!

Karla....Be Nice!!

Just for the record...I posted the other day and couldn't get it to show up!!! I don't know what I did wrong? Today has ended up a very productive day for me! I had a hard time falling asleep last night...feeling the stress of my 'to do' list....and my ever wandering mind..I caught myself remodling Stacy's master bathroom?...that was weird! Anyway, Tilly woke up not feeling so good this morning. I registered her for Kindergarten and took her to finish her imunizations..I think that is the cause of her being 'under the weather'! She has had a low fever since then and she threw up about 5 times this morning. So since I was stuck in the house taking care of her I have accomplished 5 loads of laundry(even put away), picked up my room, the girls room, scrubbed the bathroom, vacuumed, dusted, bathed the dog, cooked two different breakfasts, cooked one lunch, don't forget...took care of a sicky, and have just finished getting set up on mvelopes! YEAAAHHH -HAWW! I think I deserve a big shake from shake shack...oh, that would mean I would have to have money in my 'eating-out' envelope!!

Well, Ben and I got so excited watching the playoff game 4 that we bought tickets to game 6! We are crazy sometimes!! So I will be heading up north in the morning..ben will already be at Camp Williams..and we get to go watch the Jazz! I am excited..this will be my first time at a pro game of any kind! Paul is ready to get going on our house...our loan is at under-writting right now...hopefully next week there will be a big hole in the ground!

Anyway, love ya...sorry my last post didn't work..I don't remember what I had written about...must have been good! Love, Wendy

The gang's all here! (almost)

Wow, this blog seems to be coming back to life. I know you read this Stacy, cause every once in a while you make a comment about something on here, or recipes (wink, wink) so get your fanny in gear and get a google account so you can post!!!!!!
Mom, make Stacy play with us, please!

No rain here, just loverly sunshine. Hopefully not as hot as it has been, though. Got some more seeds planted in the garden and everything is doing really well. Maybe not my romaine, it's really slow, but all the rest looks great. I'm sure in a month or so I'll be sick of watering and weeding and by the time harvest rolls around, I will want nothing whatsoever to do with that garden. I'm so fickle.....but I keep telling myself I have to persevere so that I can actually put away some of the produce. We'll see who's stronger, my lazy side or my trying to 'do' side.

No pictures yet, Karla. I'd love you to come up and take some for me. Would you really do that? I'll pay ya a sitting fee and provide hotel service......I actually have pix of the kids from school that I can give Mom, but C and I really need one of us. Scary to think of .

Mom, sorry about banging up the car. That stinks. Glad it wasn't too bad though. Hannah is coming down with C. She has a dentist appt tomorrow morning at 8:30. Hope they can fix her up, or at least temporize it til we can get appts in June. I was trying to get by til then, but guess this one shouldn't wait. I'd hate to get to GA and have her get an abcessed tooth. That would be fun! Crossing my fingers that this time the business is sold for good. It seems like it will be good to just go and sew and not do the worrying over all the business stuff. Although, knowing you, I'm sure you'll do your share of that too.

Well, gotta go finish up Sadie's homework. Have a fantastic day!

Love ya
Kas

It's Raining!!

Hey, I woke up this morning and went outside to go to work and it had rained all night and it's still overcast and misty/drizzly today. I love days like today. I think I would love to live in England or Seattle where it rained a lot. I don't know why, I realize most people really like the sunny days, but I like the rainy ones.

Nothing new going on, really. I signed Peyton up for kindergarten yesterday and had to decide once and for all if I was going to finish his vaccinations. I decided I didn't dare. I went and filled out the exemption. I just can't do it. Every time I think of taking him to finish his shots, I remember so vividly him seizing on the living room floor. I've never been so scared in all my life. I honestly thought he was going to die. I know that seizures aren't usually life threatening and he hasn't had any in 4 years or so, but some of the literature I read on the immunizations say that if they do have a seizure reaction, it can turn into a full blown seizure disorder--with repeated episodes. I just can't do it. I guess we'll have to cross this bridge again when he's going to college or on his mission. Maybe he'll just have to serve stateside or something. That's fine, too. Ugg, being a parent and making possibly life altering decisions for your kids sucks sometimes!!

I bribed Allie last night. I told her I'd give her a dollar if she emptied the dishwasher and put the clean ones away and loaded the dirty ones that were in the kitchen into the dishwasher. I know that most kids just have stuff like that for chores, and normally she just helps so much but I guess I was feeling guilty about having her do stuff I think is my job, so I paid her a dollar. Win Win--we were both happy. Now I need to figure out how to get the kids to clean the bathroom really good and mop my kitchen floor. Maybe I should hire someone to come in once or twice a month and just clean those two rooms really good--they're the ones I hate to do. I'm so lazy!!!

Well, I'm going to be taking someone's senior pictures this weekend. I'm a little nervous. So, if any of you have any good pose ideas, let me know. Kas, did you get Jordan's done?? I should load my studio stuff in the car and come up there one of these weekends and take them for you and Mom says she needs new individual photos of you kids for her downstairs wall. Of course, she needs new ones of Peyton, too. She has his 6 month photo up. Allie's is current because it was this year's school picture. Why didn't I give her newer ones of Peyton? I took some, have them hanging on my wall at home. Oh well, I'm braindead most of the time, I've decided.

Stacy, just so you know, I think you're a bum for doggin us on this blog. It was a lot of fun there for a while--still is actually, I just think it would be funner if everyone was posting a least once a week (more preferably) but I'd take once a week.

Now, I'm working on a goofy picture of Wendy. I have one in mind, I just need to get it pulled up and resized for the web. LaRue, you're next!!!!

Well, I hope you all are having a good hump day. I'm taking tomorrow off work because I have to have an ultrasound at the hospital at 10, and then it's the George Wythe College picnic and Mom said I could go with her last ticket, so I'm going to go to that and take the whole day off!! Then I have Friday off so it should be a good weekend. I'm going to try to set up my studio lights in Mom's sewing room on Friday while she's working and take a few pics of the kids and see how they turn out. I am taking pictures for a Mother/Daughter activity in June and I need to work with the set up to make sure I know what I'm doing.

I guess I better get back to work--love you all!
Karla

here I am

I finally had Karla put my blog as my lead page so that I could find it, It keeps getting lost. I wish I were more computer smart, but I'm not. We are having a rainy day today. We love the moisture, but I'm wondering if George Wythe planned an alternative spot for their picnic tomorrow? I guess they will find somewhere to meet. The ground is wet and soggy, which is good. I'm not sure how much Karl and Curtis will be able to see either, but we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Tim and Angie took over yesterday. I am working with them. Trish will help whenever we need her. If I need to be gone, she can help them and if they need to be gone, she can help me. We are pretty busy right now, so that is good. Right now I am sewing some things here at the house, so Tim can use the machine at the store for hats. We have one machine still down and I called Rob Wood on Monday and on Tuesday and he hasn't called back to say when he can come and put the new part on.

Liz and I delivered invites to a baby shower for Kristen Randolph Christensen last night and I backed into a post. Have a little damage to the back bumper and broke the cap over the outlet for plugging in trailer lights. Always something!

Time to go to work. Talk to you later

Love ya, Mom

I wish I didn't know how to sew even a single stitch!

Then I could just say no when asked to help alter or make costumes.....I finally finished that blasted vest. I had such trouble with the button holes. I tried twice and just made a big old mess. I thought it was just because of the heavyweight material and was going to ask them to do them or send them down with Curtis. Then it dawned on me that while I was marking where they should go, Soren was busily turning my tension knob back and forth. That could explain why there was such a HUGE conglomeration of thread on the back of the buttonhole. So I tried again this evening, after readjusting the tension knob, and lo and behold, we had a buttonhole that was recognizable as such. So 12 buttonholes and buttons later, we have a finished vest. I hope that's all they need me to do.....cause now I'm in the midst of pulling off Teacher Appreciation. Made a poster for today and took in a bunch of balloons. Tomorrow is "french" food day, since she served a mission in France, then "swiss chocolate" on Wed., Gift certificate for dinner on Thurs and the memory book on Fri. I need to get that thing started......Simplify, Kassie, simplify.

How is your week starting out??? Hope you have a good one. It's late and I want to sleep, so I'll check in tomorrow! Love ya!

OK-Stacy, It's your turn!

OK, Stacy, since it's been forever since you've blogged, it's your turn to have a family member embarrassed on the world wide web.

OK, now--at first glance, you might think--"What's embarrassing about that picture? It's darn cute!"

Yes, it is, but look closer---Zoe is hangin you the bird!!


Well, my studio lights came today--it's a much bigger set up than I thought it would be. I thought I'd be able to set it up in my living room, but not a chance. I'll have to use the garage or maybe see if Mom will let me use her sewing room and push the couch out of the way or something once in a while for a shoot. Eh, it's fun anyway.

Kassie, thanks for posting. I'm just spending waaaaayyyy too much time on the computer the last few days. But, it's 11:30 on a Friday night, kids are asleep, Jim is down working on his tractor, so here I sit. I think I'm about to head to bed though.

Hope you all have a nice weekend!! Love you!

Whew!

Me, breathing a little sigh of relief because school is over for the week. Unfortunately, it's a short weekend, followed by another long week. I really like those short 4 day school weeks. But..........the science fair is over and my part of Teacher Appreciation will be over after this weekend. I will just pull together what I have planned and take something in to Ford's teacher each day next week. Then, if I have no more committments for Shakespeare week(helping with costuming/makeup) and I can find some cute costumes for the kids for Shakespeare week without breaking the bank, then I think I'm home free. This has been a long month! Oh, guess I ought to think about taking some pictures for Jordan for his Sr. grad announcements, and then we need to make those too. I probably ought to get him some sort of graduation gift too......it never ends, I tell ya!

Karla, love the pictures, thanks for sharing. I wish I knew how to add pictures to my posts better, but I just am such a dunce. I see the button to add a picture and I do, but it doesn't let me put it where I want it or add a caption where I want to. The latest thing I've used my camera for: took a picture of the sewing instructions for the vest I have to make for Montana's character in the play. I had to quickly cut out the material and get the pattern back to the school so someone else could use it. I don't have my scanner/printer any more and I was trying to figure out how I was going to get a copy of the instructions. Thought of typing them up, but it finally dawned on me to take a picture of them. Now I set the laptop on the table by my sewing machine and I can zoom in on the part I need to see. Works great, since I don't actually use it to take pictures much. (rolling eyes)

Well, better go figure out what in the world we are eating for dinner. I'm not hungry so nothing sounds good. Think anyone would notice if we just skipped dinner tonight? Yeah, Probably!

Cya! Have a great Friday!

Just because I found these pictures funny....

I am going to keep posting embarrassing photos of my wonderful family daily until they start POSTING AGAIN!!!! I feel like I'm talking to myself. And remember, even if I don't have a photo of you doing something---I'm getting better at photoshop so you never know what you could show up on here one day doing----

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!

Someday My Prince Will Come-------

Where, Oh Where, can he be??

My Little Cowboy

It would have looked better if I'd have had my cowboy hat on, but Mom forgot to tell me to bring it--She heard about how dumb that was from Dad--but she tries hard.

I'm just waiting for the branding to begin--lots of waiting.

Noise, Noise, NOISE!!!

Nope, not the kids this time. I found an awesome fix for digital picture noise last night. I mean AWESOME!!! So, Stacy & Wendy---if you want me to rework those pictures I took of your families on the golf course last year and de-noise them, let me know. I will definitely try to make sure my camera is on the proper ISO next time :P

Well, the road in front of my office is all torn up. Yes, actually more than ususal! They are replacing a water line the length of the block and then they are going to repave the entire thing. YEAH!!! It's been pot hole heaven forever. It'll be really nice to have it redone. But right now I'm listening to a back hoe--beep, beep, beep--backing up!! I need one of those for me!

Nothing else going on in my life. I spent most of last evening going through photography websites and playing in photoshop. I've got my motivation and interest to learn more back! I'm so excited to play again. Finally!!

Well, I need to sign Allie & Peyton up for softball and t-ball. This should be tonz o fun! I hope they combine the boys & girls t-ball like they did when Allie was playing. I want Peyton & Tilly to be on the same team. That would be so cool!

I guess I better get back to mailing out reminder (aka babysitting letters) to my producers to come in and file their ANNUAL acreage report. They act like this is something new--Nope, you have to do it EVERY year to get program payments. Oh well, APS!!

Love you all--Wendy, thanks for taking care of Bert for me!! Much better.

OODALALLY!!

Fortunes, forcasts, lucky charms!!

It's on it's way!

I found it online for $200 less than the first place I found it--So, I ordered it! Yah!! I'm gonna have my own little home photo studio. Fun fun.

It's snowing--it snowed all day yesterday and it's pretty cold today. I've not accomplished a darn thing to talk about since I saw you all. Jim's been busy buying parts for his tractor. Peyton took a header down the stairs last night. That was kinda scary. Allie is such a good helper. She does whatever I ask her to do to help around the house with almost no complaining.

I don't have anything to say, really. Just rambling at this point. Boris Yeltsin is dead. That's strange. Too much vodka, I guess. The Jazz can't hold a lead to save their keisters. Nothing else going on that I've been paying too much attention to. I'm reading a biography on King Henry VIII. Quite fascinating. I would have gone crazy in that climate--all the political intrigue and backstabbing that went on. Yeeesh! Sure fun to read about, though.

Well, I guess I better get back to work. I have a ton to do today. My head's already at a dull throb. This should be a fun day.

Back at it!

Well, back to the schedule..............sort of. I was just heading home from dropping S off at school when C called and asked if I would like to have lunch with him, so we headed up to Thanksgiving Point and had lunch at the deli there. Then we drove to Lowe's to look at doors and cabinets and all sorts of fun stuff. I think we've decided on a door with a mini blind in the window for the back door. Still trying to decide on the front door. I know I don't want a metal door in front again, it just gets too hot. I would really love a NICE wood door with a craftsman style upper window, maybe like this, lower left door.

So tonight we are furiously working on science fair projects, tomorrow I'm sure we'll be furiously working on the posters and Wed we will be breathing huge sighs of relief that it's over for another year.

Thanks for the fun time. I wish the weather had been nicer, but I want you to know that I don't come home for the entertainment. Just being home with you all is treat enough for me. I love you all and am thankful to be part of this family. Mom and Dad, sorry about the computer/Ford. We have talked with him and things are being taken care of. Thanks for letting us know what you found. It started with popups on a gaming website. Stupid websites! I hope he understands the seriousness of this and will never be dumb enough to do it again. I worry, as he is often unable to exercise self-control. We will have to be extra vigilant with him now.

Hard to Fathom, huh???

I don't understand why people make the choices they make, but I also believe there are still way more good people than not. I think the media just plays up the negative so much that we think that's all there is. Don't let them fool ya!

What a tragedy for all involved. I feel as badly for the parents of the shooter as for the parents/families of the victims. In some ways I feel worse, knowing the guilt they will feel, even though they shouldn't. I hope that they are not negatively impacted. I know that was a concern for the Trolley Square shooter's parents right after it happened. That they would be ostracized and hated, but fortunately people reached out to them to help them too, and let them know they were cared for in their difficult time.

On a happier note, we took the kids to see Meet the Robinson's 3D today. It was SO cute, and the 3D part was way cool, and we looked extra COOL in our 3D glasses. It was us and 1 other guy in the whole theatre. Nice!!!

Well, better get to bed, so I can get up and going in the morning. Love you all and I'll see you tomorrow!

Howdie....Everyone!!

Well, I am back to the land of the living! My life is getting back to routine...YEAH!!! I can actually contribute to our blog again. It is SOOOO nice to report that nothing special is happening here. We are not running aroung like chickens with our heads cut off from one end of the state to the other.

I am so ready for warm weather to stay. It is so nice when the girls play outside! I am anxiously waiting for our tax return...I want to get set up with m-velopes to pay bills and keep on top of our finances.

It is still looking like May for the adoption and the temple. I will keep you all posted when we know more.

We are getting closer to starting construction! We got to hear elk and cyotes(that doesn't look like it is spelled right???) while we were up on the property the other night! That was fun..and it made the girls a little nervous!

The girls and I are on our way up to West Jordan for Mikey's celebration tomorrow..and then back home on thursday. Sounds like we will all be home friday and saturday..fun fun!! Love you all....later!

Man's Inhumanity to Man

Unbelievable. 32 people dead--and no idea why. I don't understand how anyone could walk into a room, chain the door shut so that no one can get in or out, and gun down every person in the room. My faith in humanity isn't very good anymore. It feels like no one is good anymore. People are killing people. Husbands cheat on wives, wives cheat on husbands. Parents abuse their children. People doing unspeakable things for a crystal of meth. Where is it all going? I know what the Church says, and I understand that, I just hate watching it. I don't know what I can do, so I do nothing.

I thought Trolley Square was bad--only 5. I thought Columbine was bad--only 12. I'm not counting the shooters because in my mind, they don't count as tragedies. I guess I'm cold, and callous about it. Maybe I've been married to a cop too long, who knows? This is just so depressing. I want to go home and hug my kids and do everything I can to keep them 9 and 5 and keep them home.

Someday I hope I'll understand why God lets such bad things happen to good people. How can people who come from such perfection have so much hate and evil inside?

I don't know anymore. Not sure I want to.

ARGGGGG!!!!!!!

So I tried to take Soren to his 15 mo check up yesterday. Last time we went our appt was at 2 pm. That's right when they get back from lunch. Unfortunately, Dr. Berry had gone to check on some patients during lunch and ended up delivering a baby so we saw the nurse/practitioner. As I was getting ready to go yesterday and realized that I again had a 2 pm appt, I hoped that we wouldn't have a repeat. I mean I like the n/p alright, but I would like to see the dr. this time. We get there and get all checked in and they tell me that he hasn't made it back yet, do I want to see the n/p or wait. I told them I would wait for a bit. Not 3 minutes later they got a call that he had to stay and deliver a baby. So now do I want to see n/p or reschedule. I rescheduled for a morning appt this time. Maybe that will be better. So all the time I sat around waiting between dropping off Sadie at school and my appt time was such a waste. I could have come home and gotten some things done. Oh, well. Guess if I wasn't so picky about seeing the dr.....................but I am.

Getting the beam put in today. YaY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get to drive kids to the Bean Museum for the kindergarten field trip today. yay????????????
Get to make a weird cucumber dish for Nina's India Day at school today. yay??????????????
Get to sleep in tomorrow, TGIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you all have a great day! Enjoy your snow! We didn't even get more than a sprinkle.

Food for Thought

Some people compare love to a roller coaster, I compare love to driving. There are paved roads, rocky roads, hilly roads, some times you even make a wrong turn, leave the road before your exit comes, or just plainly run out of fuel. The worst is when you exit early, get lost, reach a dead end and have to find your way back to the main road and hope, with all your heart, that your partner did not get lost too and is waiting for you when you get there...and he always is. That, my friends, is love.

My New Favorite Quote!!!

Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like Calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."

Jim's new baby

Is this John Deere Green?? Oh why oh why---

This is what I get for saying I'm NEVER marrying a cowboy, isn't it??

Crud

Long Time---No Talk

Well, it looks like everyone has either been really busy, or really lazy. I can say for me--both. Easter was quiet. Jim and the kids and I kidnapped Mom and took her on a road trip. We drove down Montezuma Canyon to Hatch trading post and then over to Hovenweep and ended up in Cortez for lunch--at 2:30. We didn't time it very well.

We were going to do Easter picnic and egg hunts with the Tracy's but Karson got a stick thrown up into his eye while riding a horse and had to be taken to Primary Children's Hospital to have 7 stitches put into his eye. They think he'll keep his vision, but he might have to have an artificial lens put in or something-OUCH!

Jim bought himself a tractor. Yup, a tractor. A big ole' 58 horse power 1956 John Deere beastie. Peyton is all sorts of excited. Not nearly as excited as his dad, though. He's going to go to Greeley, Colorado next week and pick it up. Why in the heck he needs a tractor is beyond me, but oh well! Boys and their toys!

Peyton's wrestling season is over--0-6 on the year. Yup, he's not a great wrestler. But, he got a couple of medals and he thinks that's wonderful. Allie is just being Allie. Nothing new going on with her. I think we finally got her mostly healthy for a change.

Well, I guess I better get back to my piles on my desk. I have my ipod on today. I'm ignoring my office--hehehe. It's low enough that I can still hear people around me and the phone. I downloaded Evanescence's new album--so good!

Later guys! Love ya!